Departure Jan. 14, Delhi, Agra, Rahjastan
 

Thank you to all Boston GTG Fodorites. After months of planning, I and a widow friend are off to India. Visiting with friends in Delhi, then Agra, Jaipur, Jodpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur. Any travel thoughts, dining suggestions, site definites, shopping musts are most welcome. Happy New Year! Cindy

have a fantastic time....i'm sure you will.....

some of the grand hotels in jaipur have fantastic dining rooms....also the aman in agra is fantastic...

keep a diary so you can tell us all about the trip on your return so that andy does not penalize you for a late entry...

While in Delhi, see if your friends can take you out for Indo-chinese food. It's a delicious fusion of Chinese and Indian cooking - but it can be super spicy if you don't inform the waiter. It's a cooking style unique to India.

Enjoy your travels!
Be a little careful of what you imbibe on the tour & eschew non-veg food in transit.
You will enjoy a dinner at "Haveli Restaurant" at Taj Mahal, Mansingh Road, Delhi or at "Suvarna Mahal" Rambagh Palace, Jaipur!

For shopping in Delhi, you must go to Central Cottage Industries Emporium in Janpath. It is a Govt. of India undertaking and thus the quality of handicrafts is very good, the prices fixed and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. You can find tiny items such as hand-made toys to bigger items such as silk textiles, carpets etc. Good even for just browsing and getting ideas.
Other good shopping areas are the South Extension Market, the Hauz Khas Market, Greeen Park Market and Khan Market. Tons of stores, mainly mom and pop variety, but lots of souvenir type of sutff as well as items for home at a very reasonable price.
When shopping, do look carefully at each item to make sure it is as perfect as possible. Since many items are still hand-made, sometimes stitching etc. may not be totally perfect, thus be alert.
Haggling is acceptable, so give them a lower price and they will probably compromise and they may offer you an attractive number.
Items that are really good purchases in India include carpets (from renowed dealers, all sorts of textiles for home or for wearing, embroidered items, jewelry and huge variety of crafts.
Dollar still buys you a lot, so enjoy your travel as well as sightseeing and shopping.
Oh one more--I love to stop at some very tiny sotre that sells bangles/bracelets. These are so very colorful and eyecatching. Perfect not only for you to dress up but also make the prettiest photograph. So, do try to visit one especially in Rajastan's markets.

Thank you for your suggestions. I want to take my hosts to dinner in Delhi. Any thoughts? Also need suggestions for a seamstress in Delhi to copy a dress. Am getting very excited!!! Cindy